Easter week in Malaga (Spain) saw the traditional religious-cultural processions and with that the traditional robes and face veils. Please note: these facial coverings and robes are nothing to do with the KKK.
However, what struck me – living in Spain and seeing the different garments – was this:
Why is this acceptable:
And not this?
Why is this acceptable, when I, like many Muslims in Spain, faced prejudice, intolerance and shock whilst living in Spain?
The answer is that to the State:
Islam is not acceptable
Nuns covering their heads and bodies shows piety yet Muslim women in similar garments represent oppression
Please let’s squish the misconceptions, ignore the lies and get to the facts.
Veiling is a free practice in Islam (as is belief itself) and anyone who forces others to cover is acting against Islam. Veiling is for religious perseverance and modesty. Freedom of religion is a universal right, and we should all have the right to live in a free, tolerant and accepting society. This works for Christian, secular, Muslim, all current States around the world – even through the reality is shockingly different. In fact, the reality is that Christianity and Islam are actually from the same Abrahamic family.
The battle for freedom of religion, peace, tolerance of others and merging of new intercultural and inter-religious identities is ongoing. Spain: hypocrisy and double standards are not a step forward…
Salam!
Image credit / copyright:
Feature image: Elizabeth Arif-Fear, Rana Ossama (Flickr)
Voice of Salam 
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